Personnel at RAF Wittering have spoken of their ‘excitement’ when Hollywood came to Cambridgeshire base for the filming of Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation.

Following the release of a stunning series of images by Paramount Pictures, showing the filming at the air-base, staff have expressed their fascination when witnessing the whole ‘Hollywood’ operation back in November 2014.

Squadron leader, Liz Parker said: “The night Tom Cruise arrived by helicopter to the airbase was so surreal. As he stepped out of the aircraft, I thought to myself, wow, that really is Tom Cruise.

“He was blown away by the whole operation. This was his initial idea and concept, and as he stepped out of that plane it had all come to life.”

The story for RAF Wittering began several months beforehand with the reactivation of the airfield in April 2014. This meant that Royal Air Force Wittering was a Station with a functioning airfield, but no resident flying squadrons.

It was an unusual set of circumstances, but one that made the station ideal for the production crew of Mission Impossible 5.

Following a series of clandestine meetings, weeks of intense work followed with personnel furiously preparing the station for the coming of Mission Impossible.

On October 28, 2014 the wagons and 300-strong crew arrived at RAF Wittering, joined soon after by a contingent from Airbus and the A400M transport aircraft which was the centrepiece of the filming.

Liz said: “It was a fascinating process to watch. We had no idea the principal actors would be there - so it was a great surprise.”